Carrie Johnson represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics in pursuit of the gold medal in women's kayaking. But while she battled for the gold, Johnson continues to fight another battle: Crohns disease.

In a recent SI.com interview, Johnson talked openly about her illness. Johnson explained that one of the very first things she did after being diagnosed with Crohns disease in 2003, was to do research about the disease that she had very little knowledge of!

Thousands of people are diagnosed with Crohns disease each year and more than 1 million people currently suffer from Crohn's disease. However, many suffer in silence, as the effects of Crohn's are often not openly discussed. Read more

New research published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology has paved the way for the novel use of olives as a source of probiotics in our diets. Probiotics are the healthy bacteria necessary for gut health, balancing intestinal flora, and stimulating protective functions of the digestive system. They are essential for a healthy gut, particularly when an antibiotic that strips the digestive system of its natural bacteria is being used.

Due to their oral administration, probiotics must be able to withstand the harsh physical and chemical environment of the human gastro-intestinal tract, and need to be ingested daily in large quantities to have a beneficial effect. As varying probiotics react differently in the digestive environment, the challenge is not just introducing them to the body, but introducing specific bacteria types that can survive and flourish in the very specific GI conditions. Read more

Making some tiny changes to your routine may help prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes, a disease that's expected to strike one in three Americans by the year 2050.

Here are 3 simple ways to help defeat diabetes:

1. FLEX YOUR MUSCLES: According to UCLA researchers, any type of physical activity is great for warding off diabetes, but strength training seems to be especially important. Pumping iron builds muscle, and the more muscle mass you have, the less likely you are to develop prediabetes. Arun S. Karlamangla, M.D., Ph.D explains that being buff appears to help your body respond to insulin better. Read more

Aromatic Foods Lead to Smaller Bites
People tend to take smaller bites of food that are accompanied by strong smells. Researchers believe that making foods more fragrant could decrease the amount of food people eat per bite, aiding to weight loss.

Whole Grain Flours Are Not the Same as Whole, Intact Grain Kernels
Because the kernels are pulverized into a fine powder, all flours metabolize relatively quickly, causing a rapid rise in blood sugar,
and increasing the risk of weight gain and inflammatory disease.

Women and Caffeine
25 percent of women metabolize caffeine more slowly than others, so they get jittery on less coffee.

Ovarian Health
Studies show that a combination of exercise and acupuncture improves ovarian health. Acupuncture alone can increase the rate of conception in women undergoing in-vitro fertilization.

Body Language can Reveal More Than Words
Rapid eye blinking and tight lips are often signs of nervousness or anxiety. If someone's feet are pointed away from you , he or she
may be eager to exit the conversation.